Despite seeing the deadliest week in two generations, the resolve of residents and soldiers from CFB Petawawa remains strong after the deaths of five Canadian soldiers over the weekend.

"They had to go and they have to finish the job. To pull them out would be wrong," military wife Velma Parson told CTV Ottawa.

At least four of the five soldiers killed were based at the small military town on the upper Ottawa River. It is likely that many of the injured soldiers, from two different incidents, are from the base as well.

Two of the dead were identified Sunday as Warrant Officer Frank Mellish and Warrant Officer Richard Nolan, both of 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, based at CFB Petawawa.

The third was identified Monday as Sgt. Shane Stachnik of 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, also based in Petawawa.

The name of the fourth was still being withheld at the request of the family.

As well, a fifth Canadian was reported dead Monday following a friendly fire incident. Pte. Mark Anthony Graham, a member of 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, was also based in Petawawa.

With soldiers from Petawawa now fighting on front lines in Afghanistan, more than 1,600 military families at the base eagerly await to hear from their loved ones.

"Every day you look for the e-mail you, look for the telephone call," Parson said.

"It's very scary for the families here."

Parson's husband is part of the 1st Battalion and was friends with Warrant Officer Nolan.

"It's upsetting for them all over there," she said.

"You know they have to do what they have to do over there, but it doesn't make it easy. It doesn't make it easy for us back here at all."

Residents from the military town discussed the tragic weekend events at the local Tim Hortons Monday.

Doug Elliot, who attended courses with Warrant Officers Mellish and Nolan, described them as dedicated family men.

"They were both very family oriented, with children and wives who were very important to them," Elliott told The Canadian Press.

"They were both very dedicated and proud to be Canadian soldiers."

With fatalities mounting, some Canadians have expressed concern about Canada's combat role.

On the weekend New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton suggested that Canada pull out of Afghanistan and refocus its efforts on reconstruction.

"But reconstruction of schools doesn't sell papers," Elliot said.

Elliot, who is set to deploy to Afghanistan in February, said the military isn't discouraged by the criticism of Canada's mission in Kandahar.

"I just chalk it up to not understanding the issues," he said.

Elliot's wife, Lisa, who will also be deploying to Afghanistan in February, said that it is important that Canadians support the troops.

"I don't care if you support the mission or not," she said.

"I just hope they support us and want to see us come home."

With files from The Candian Press and a report from CTV Ottawa's Natalie Pierosara